Not that he rightly gave a damn what the world thought.
Usually.
Lucky stepped back from the nursery, closed the door, and rested his head against the smooth wooden panel.
All he’d ever wanted—and some things he’d not been smart enough to know he needed—close enough to reach out and touch.
“Good morning!”
Lucky whirled, heart on a collision course with his ribs. Damn. He’d almost been busted daydreaming. “Good morning.” He rammed his hands into this shorts pockets, clutching the rings in his fist.Wait for it. Wait for the right moment…
Bo sat up in their bed, covers pooled around his waist and sparse curls on his chest. One fine sight. He nodded toward the tray on the nightstand. “Is that for me?”
“What?” Oh. Not the rings. Breakfast. “Yeah. Thought you might wake up hungry.” Fixing Bo breakfast. One small step in Lucky’s plans to be the man Bo deserved, and an apology for last night.
Bo knuckled one eye. “Where’re Todd and Ty?”
“Still asleep. I talked to Charlotte this morning. She asked if we’re okay with them staying with us until she found her own place, since she’s not sure when her house might sell.”
“You told her they’re welcome, right?”
“Of course, as long as you’re cool with it.” One Lucklighter strained the nerves of most folks. Four under one roof? Good thing the naked man in Lucky’s bed had a high tolerance for bad manners.
“Cool with it? I’m thrilled. I know how much them being here means to you.” The smile left Bo’s face. “Are you okay with that? I mean, with what’s going on with the rest of your family and all.”
Mama took Bristol’s death hard, though she didn’t blame Lucky for any role he’d played.
Things weren’t back to normal yet with his folks, might never be. However, he’d never been a big believer in normal being a good thing, so they’d rewrite their relationship slowly, one chapter at a time. But Charlotte? His defender, his friend, his support, and his ass-kicker when he needed one. “Yeah. It’ll be great, though I doubt we’ll see much of her. She plans to eventually find a house near Clemson to be close to Todd, and go back to nursing school.”
“Nice!” Bo pulled the tray Lucky recently filled onto his lap and took a bite of toast. He washed the mouthful down with a swig of green tea.
Charlotte could teach Bo a thing or two about keeping Lucky in line. On the other hand, Bo and Ty could roam Atlanta looking for poofballs or whatever on their phones. Goodness knew the kid needed positive male role models.
Like Lucky should’ve—no,couldstill be.
Uncle Lucky. Uncle Bo.
But no more paintball. Ever. Lucky rubbed the aching spot on his chest.
Blurting out all he had on his mind might scare Bo off. If Lucky had learned anything from his time with the man, he’d learned to choose his words carefully, and choose the right timing.
Living in sin, as his grandma used to say.
No, sin would’ve been the parts of his life without Bo.
The click of a fork on a plate brought Lucky’s attention back to matters at hand. Clearing his throat didn’t bring the words he needed. He jangled the rings in his pocket and sat down on the side of the bed.
Bo placed the breakfast tray on the nightstand, grabbed Lucky by the shoulders and pulled him in for a kiss. Oh, damn. What a fine good morning. Wait! Hadn’t he been about to say something?
“How long do you reckon we got before the boys wake up?” Bo retreated enough to mumble against Lucky’s mouth.
Now, now, now, now, now!“Bo, I…”
“Uncle Lucky!” Todd shouted from way too close to the bedroom door. “I’m gonna fix some breakfast, okay?”
Damn it!
Chapter Three
